Vehicle Display with Automatic Positioning System

ABSTRACT

A display system mounted within a vehicle is provided, where the system monitors the user&#39;s position within the vehicle&#39;s seat and automatically adjusts the location of the display to compensate for variations in the size or seating position of the user, thereby helping to alleviate the eye strain, fatigue, neck and back pain that often accompany the improper use of a monitor for an extended period of time.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to a display system for use in avehicle and, more particularly, to a system that automatically adjustsand optimizes the position of the display.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The use of a laptop computer no longer requires that the user compromiseon processor speed, display size, display resolution or memory.Additionally, given the battery life available in many such computers,the user is no longer required to limit their use to small workingsessions. As a result, laptops have become a viable alternative for manyprofessionals, offering the end user both the performance that they havecome to expect from a desktop computer as well as the portability andconvenience associated with a laptop. Unfortunately while theperformance of laptop computers have improved dramatically over the lastdecade, their usefulness is still limited due to the setting in whichthey are often used. For example, on an airplane if the user does notwish to rest their computer on their lap, then they must sit theirlaptop on the tray table that is either linked to the back of the seatin front of their own, or linked to the arm-rest of their own chair. Ina car the user's options are even more limited, in general requiringthat the user either rest their computer directly on their lap or on alap tray. Unfortunately, none of these approaches provide the user witha reasonable ergonomic solution, either in terms of display or keyboardposition. Accordingly, what is needed is a system that allows a personto comfortably and ergonomically use a display while riding in avehicle. The present invention provides such a system.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a display system that includes (i) adisplay mounted within and to a vehicle, where the display may beadjusted within a range of display positions, (ii) a display positioningsystem coupled to the display, (iii) a vehicle seat mounted within thevehicle and positioned to allow an occupant of the vehicle seat toutilize the display, (iv) an occupant position sensor system thatoutputs occupant position data corresponding to a current position ofthe occupant within the vehicle seat, and (v) a control system coupledto the display positioning system and to the occupant position sensorsystem, where the control system monitors the sensor system to determinethe occupant's current position within the vehicle seat and adjusts thedisplay's position in response to the occupant's current position. Thecontrol system may use a look-up table stored in memory, where thelook-up table includes a plurality of compatible display positions thatcorrespond to the plurality of occupant positions within the vehicleseat, and where each of the compatible display positions may be set tomaintain (i) a display viewing distance within a preset range, (ii) adisplay vertical tilt angle relative to the occupant within a presetrange, (iii) a display horizontal tilt angle relative to the occupantwithin a preset range, and/or (iv) a display horizontal tilt anglerelative to a horizontal vehicle axis within a preset range. Theoccupant position sensor may be comprised of a plurality of pressuresensors integrated into the vehicle seat; alternately, comprised of anelectromagnetic or ultrasonic transducer. The display positioning systemmay utilize an electro-mechanical positioning system or a hydraulicpositioning system. The linkage assembly that mounts the display to thevehicle and which is used by the positioning system and the controllerto adjust the display's position may include (i) a guide track mountedto the vehicle, where an arm of the linkage assembly slides within theguide track, (ii) a telescoping link, (iii) a telescoping link where aportion of the telescoping link slides within a guide track mounted tothe vehicle and/or (iii) a multi-link assembly that includes a firstlink pivotably coupled to the display and to a second link, and a secondlink pivotably coupled to the first link and the vehicle.

In another aspect of the invention, the system may further comprise avehicle seat sensor that outputs seat position data corresponding to theseat's current position, and where the control system monitors the seatposition data and adjusts the current display position in response tothe current seat position. The control system may use a look-up tablestored in memory in order to adjust the display to the current displayposition, where the look-up table includes a plurality of compatibledisplay positions that correspond to the plurality of occupant positionswithin the vehicle seat and to a range of seat positions correspondingto the vehicle seat.

A further understanding of the nature and advantages of the presentinvention may be realized by reference to the remaining portions of thespecification and the drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 provides a side view of a synchronized display in accordance withthe prior art, this view illustrating the display being repositioned asthe seat is reclined;

FIG. 2 provides a side view of a synchronized display in accordance withthe prior art, this view illustrating the display being repositioned asthe seat is moved backwards;

FIG. 3 provides a side view of a synchronized display in accordance withthe prior art, this view illustrating the display being repositioned asthe seat is lowered;

FIG. 4 illustrates the use of pressure sensors within the vehicle seatas a means of determining the user's location within the seat;

FIG. 5 illustrates the use of transducers, mounted in the vehicle'sheadliner, as a means of determining the user's location within theseat;

FIG. 6 illustrates the use of transducers, mounted in the back of anadjacent seat, as a means of determining the user's location;

FIG. 7 illustrates the use of transducers, mounted in the display, as ameans of determining the user's location within the seat;

FIG. 8 provides a block diagram of the primary subsystems associatedwith the invention;

FIG. 9 illustrates a deployed display configured for a tall system user;

FIG. 10 illustrates the display system shown in FIG. 9, automaticallyreconfigured to accommodate a short system user;

FIG. 11 schematically illustrates a deployed display configured for auser sitting in the middle of the seat;

FIG. 12 schematically illustrates the display system shown in FIG. 11,automatically reconfigured to accommodate an off-center viewer;

FIG. 13 schematically illustrates the display system shown in FIG. 11,automatically reconfigured to accommodate an off-center viewer whileretaining a display orientation parallel to the vehicle's side-to-sidehorizontal axis;

FIG. 14 illustrates a modified block diagram based on FIG. 8 in whichvehicle seat position sensors have been added so that the system canautomatically position the display based on seat position as well asuser seating characteristics;

FIG. 15 illustrates a modified block diagram based on FIG. 14 in whichvehicle status sensors have been added to the system;

FIG. 16 provides a side view of an embodiment compatible with theinvention, this view showing the display in a stored position;

FIG. 17 provides a side view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 16 with thedisplay deployed and positioned for use with a generally upright seat;

FIG. 18 provides a side view of the embodiment shown in FIGS. 16 and 17with the display automatically re-positioned for use with a recliningseat;

FIG. 19 illustrates a deployed display configured for a tall system userutilizing an alternate display linkage assembly;

FIG. 20 illustrates the display system shown in FIG. 19, automaticallyreconfigured to accommodate a shorter user;

FIG. 21 illustrates a deployed display configured for a tall system userutilizing an alternate display linkage assembly;

FIG. 22 illustrates the display system shown in FIG. 21, automaticallyreconfigured to accommodate a shorter user;

FIG. 23 provides a perspective view of a display attached to a singleguide track via a single, centrally located linkage arm;

FIG. 24 provides a perspective view of a display attached to a singleguide track via a pair of centrally located linkage arms;

FIG. 25 provides a perspective view of a display attached to a pair ofguide tracks via a pair of side mounted linkage arms;

FIG. 26 provides a perspective view of a display attached to a pair ofguide tracks via a first pair and a second pair of side mounted linkagearms;

FIG. 27 provides a perspective view of a display attached to a singleguide track via a single, side mounted linkage arm; and

FIG. 28 provides a perspective view of a display attached to a singleguide track via a pair of side mounted linkage arms.

DESCRIPTION OF THE SPECIFIC EMBODIMENTS

The present invention provides a system that monitors user positionwithin a vehicle seat and, in at least one embodiment, the position ofthe seat as well, and uses this information to automatically position avehicle display in order to help alleviate the eye strain, fatigue, neckand back pain that often accompany the improper use of a monitor for anextended period of time. While the primary application is an automobile,the inventors envision that the invention may be integrated equally wellinto an airplane, train, bus or other vehicle.

Co-assigned U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/082,241, filed 18 Nov.2013 and incorporated herein by reference, discloses a vehicular-mounteddisplay system that automatically compensates for changes in theposition of the user's seat. Utilizing any of a variety of differentdisplay linkage and guide track configurations, the disclosed system isable to reposition a vehicle's internally-mounted display as theposition of the user's seat changes in degree of recline,forward-backward position, or downward-upward position. For example andas illustrated in FIG. 1, display 101 is repositioned from a firstposition 103 (shown in phantom) to a second position 105 as thevehicle's seat reclines from a first position 107 (shown in phantom) toa second position 109. Similarly, in FIG. 2 display 101 is repositionedfrom a first position 201 (shown in phantom) to a second position 203 asthe seat moves backward from a first position 205 (shown in phantom) toa second position 207, while in FIG. 3 display 101 is repositioned froma first position 301 (shown in phantom) to a second position 303 as theseat moves downward from a first position 305 (shown in phantom) to asecond position 307.

While the prior art system is able to provide the user with an improveddisplay viewing experience by monitoring seat position and adjusting thevehicle's display accordingly, it does not take into account variationsbetween users, nor does it accommodate the user changing positionswithin their seat. As a result, while an average sized person sittingupright and centered in their chair may enjoy their view of display 101,a shorter than average or a taller than average person, or a personsitting to one side, or a person slumped down in their chair may have adifficult time using display 101, especially if display 101 has pooroff-axis viewing characteristics. Accordingly, the present inventionmonitors the user's position within their seat and uses this informationto optimize the position of display 101.

The present invention may be configured to utilize any of a variety ofdifferent types of sensors, alone or in combination, to determine thelocation of a user within their seat, thus taking into account both userheight and location within their chair. For example, FIG. 4 illustratesthe inclusion of a plurality of pressure sensors 401 incorporated intothe seat 403, back 405, headrest 407 and side bolsters 409 of vehicleseat 411. Although sensors 401 are clearly visible in FIG. 4, it shouldbe understood that in a typical configuration, and as is well known bythose of skill in the art, sensors 401 are located underneath the seat'supholstery, thus making them invisible to someone sitting in seat 411.

The number of sensors 401, as well as their positions within seat 411,is selected to provide the desired level of sensitivity to userpositioning. In general, the sensors 401 located in the seat back 405and the headrest 407 indicate the height, and thus the eye-level, of theuser. The sensors 401 located within the bolsters 409 can be used todetermine whether the user is sitting off-center, for example leaning toone side or the other side of seat 411. Additionally, when the headrest407, seat back 405 and seat 403 include rows of multiple sensors acrossthe seat's width, as illustrated in the exemplary configuration shown inFIG. 4, by monitoring the weight distribution in each row of sensors thesystem is able to detect whether the user is seated off-center and ifso, where the user is seated.

It should be understood that the present invention is not limited to asingle technique, such as the pressure sensors described above, formonitoring and determining the user's location within the vehicle'sseat. For example, a variety of different electromagnetic and ultrasonictransducers may be used to determine where the viewer is positionedwithin the seat. These transducers, which may emit a continuous signal,a time varying signal or a spatially varying signal, monitor thereflected signal to determine the location of the person sitting in thevehicle seat. The invention may use separate transmitter and receivertransducers or, as preferred, transceiver transducers that are capableof both transmitting and receiving the monitor signal.

FIGS. 5-7 illustrate three exemplary configurations that utilize atransducer-based detection system. It should be understood that whiletwo transducers are shown in each of the exemplary embodiments, theinvention may use a single transducer or more than two transducers.Similarly, while the exemplary transducers are transceivers, aspreviously noted separate transmitter and receiver transducers may beused. Additionally, the invention may utilize other transducer mountinglocations as well as various transducer location combinations. Lastly,the invention may use multiple detection schemes, for exampletransducers for determining viewing height and pressure sensors withinthe seat to determine the user's location relative to the seat'scenterline. In FIG. 5 transducers 501 and 503 are mounted to, or within,the vehicle's headliner 505, these transducers providing the desireduser location information to the system controller. In FIG. 6transducers 501 and 503 are mounted to, or within, the seat back 601 ofseat 603, where seat 603 is the seat in front of the display user's seat605. In FIG. 7 transducers 501 and 503 are mounted to display 101, forexample above and below the display a shown.

FIG. 8 illustrates the primary components associated with a preferredembodiment of the invention. The system includes a seat 801 in which theuser of the display 101 sits. Associated with seat 801 are one or moreuser position sensors 803 that are capable of determining the locationand position of the user seated within vehicle seat 801. Sensors 801 maybe comprised of pressure sensors such as those described above andillustrated in FIG. 4, or transducers such as those described above andillustrated in FIGS. 5-7, or some combination thereof. User positioninformation as determined by sensors 803 is provided to control system805, also referred to herein simply as a controller. Control system 805,which includes a control processor, may be a dedicated control system orintegrated into another vehicle control system, for example a vehiclemanagement system.

The flat panel display 101 of system 800 can utilize any of a variety ofdisplay technologies (e.g., light-emitting diode (LED), plasma, organiclight-emitting diode (OLED), liquid crystal (LCD), thin film transistorLCD (TFT-LCD), field emission display (FED) or other technology).Display 101 may be intended solely for display purposes, i.e., amonitor, or display 101 may be a touch-screen that allows direct userinteraction, for example by incorporating capacitive touch technologyinto the display. Display 101 is coupled to a video source 807 (e.g., acomputer, DVD player, etc.). Video source 807 may be hard-wired to thedisplay via cabling 809, or coupled via a wireless system 811 using anyof a variety of wireless communication protocols (e.g., IEEE 802.11,long term evolution (LTE), Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, WiGig, WirelessHD, etc.).

Coupled to display 101 is a display position controller 813 that mayutilize an electro-mechanical (e.g., motorized) positioner, a hydraulicpositioner or other positioning system to adjust and control the viewingposition of display 101. As described in detail below, displaypositioning system 813 is used by the system controller 805 to vary theposition of display 101 in response to either the user changingpositions (e.g., leaning to one side, slouching down in the seat, etc.)or to a change in the size of the user (e.g., changing from a tall userto a short user). Sensors 815 are used to insure proper placement ofdisplay 101 and as such, may either directly monitor display position ormay determine display position by monitoring display positioning system813. In a preferred embodiment, sensors 815 and positioning system 813are combined into a single system.

In the preferred embodiment, a memory 817 is coupled to systemcontroller 805. Memory 817 may be a stand-alone memory or integratedinto controller 805. Memory 817 may be comprised of flash memory, asolid state disk drive, a hard disk drive, or any other memory type orcombination of memory types. Stored within memory 817 is a set ofcontrol instructions which, in at least one embodiment, includes alook-up table that provides a particular display location, also referredto herein as a compatible display position, for seat occupants ofvarying size and sitting in different regions within vehicle seat 801.As described in further detail below, preferably each preset displayposition stored in memory maintains at least one of (i) a displayviewing distance within a preset range, (ii) a display vertical tiltangle relative to the occupant within a preset range, (iii) a displayhorizontal tilt angle relative to the occupant within a preset range,and/or (iv) a display horizontal tilt angle relative to a horizontalvehicle axis within a preset range. Accordingly, when adjusting thedisplay in response to a change in user or user seating position,preferably controller 805 uses the look-up table to determine thecompatible display position for the current seat position.

FIGS. 9 and 10 illustrate the operation of the present invention toaccommodate users of different size. In FIG. 9, a tall person 901 isshown, in phantom, seated in vehicle seat 903. After detecting the sizeand seating position of the occupant using sensors 803, controller 805automatically moves display 101 to achieve the desired viewing distance905. Preferably system controller 805 also varies the tilt angle 907 ofthe display relative to vertical axis 909, referred to herein as thedisplay's vertical tilt angle, in order to provide the user with thedesired level of display tilt relative to their head placement. Ifsystem controller 805 detects a shorter person 1001 in seat 903 usingsensors 803, for example a child sitting in the vehicle's seat, then itautomatically repositions display 101 to accommodate the differentuser's viewing characteristics. For example using the linkage assemblyshown in FIGS. 9 and 10, system controller 805 optimizes the position ofthe display for the shorter user by moving arm 1003 within guide track1005 in a direction 1007, pivoting arm 1003 about axis 1009 in adirection 1011, pivoting arm 1013 about axis 1015 in a direction 1017,and pivoting display 101 about axis 1019 in a direction 1021. Theselinkage adjustments alter the height of the display above seat 903, andmore particularly correct the display's position (e.g., viewing distanceand vertical tilt angle) to match the new viewing position correspondingto the shorter person. Although some embodiments of the invention onlyadjust display height, and thus viewing distance, preferably the systemis configured to also adjust the vertical tilt angle as illustrated.

In at least one embodiment of the invention, the system is configured tomodify the display's tilt angle relative to a horizontal axis of thecar, more specifically the horizontal axis running from one side of thecar to the other side of the car. Preferably in this embodimentcontroller 805 not only automatically adjusts this tilt angle, referredto herein as the display's horizontal tilt angle, but also changes thedisplay height and/or the vertical tilt angle as described above withrespect to FIGS. 9 and 10. FIGS. 11 and 12 schematically illustratealtering the display's horizontal tilt angle as a result of the userchanging seat position. As shown in FIG. 11, when user 1101 is centeredwithin seat 1103, the front face of display 101 is parallel to, orsubstantially parallel to, horizontal axis 1105. If the user changestheir position, for example moving towards the center of vehicle 1107 asshown in FIG. 12, controller 805 detects this shift in position usinguser position sensors 803 and pivots display 101 about axis 1201 in adirection 1203. As a result, user 1101 is not forced to view the displayat an angle.

It will be appreciated that the final position of display which isautomatically altered by the system in response to the user's size andposition will depend, at least in part, on the configuration and thecapabilities of the linkage. For example, in at least one embodimentcontroller 805 is able to reposition display 101 in response to the usermoving off-center while keeping the front panel of the display parallelto, or substantially parallel to, the horizontal axis. Preferably thisapproach allows display 101 to be centered in front of the user evenwhen the user moves off-center. For example, and as shown in FIG. 13, inresponse to a movement by user 1101 to an off-center viewing position,controller 805 pivots arm 1301 about axis 1303 in a direction 1305, andpivots display 101 about axis 1307 in a direction 1309. The inventorenvisions other linkage assemblies that can be used to either tilt, ortranslate display 101 sideways, in order to accommodate a user sittingoff-center.

In addition to automatically altering the position of display 101 inresponse to the user's height or position within the vehicle's seat, thepresent invention may also automatically alter the display positionbased on the position of the vehicle seat. As a consequence, as the useradjusts their position, either by physically altering their positionwithin the vehicle seat or by altering the position of the vehicle seatitself, the controller is able to optimize the display position.

FIG. 14 illustrates a modification of system 800 that synchronizesdisplay 101 with the position of the vehicle seat as well as the user'sposition within that seat and the size of the user. Seat 801 in system1400 is capable of being located in any of a variety of positionsthrough the use of mechanical or electro-mechanical means 1401. Theposition of the seat is monitored using one or more position sensors1403 and that position information is provided to controller 805. As aresult, embodiments utilizing system 1400 adjust the position of display101 based on (i) the size of the user as provided by user positionsensors 803, (ii) the position of the user within seat 801 as providedby user position sensors 803, and (iii) the position of seat 801 asprovided by seat position sensors 1403.

Although not required by the invention, preferably controller 805monitors the status of display 101 and/or video source 807, thusallowing the system to be configured to automatically deploy display 101from a storage position when the system is activated, and then returndisplay 101 to its storage position when it is no longer required, i.e.,when the display and/or video source is deactivated. Additionally, in atleast one embodiment represented by system 1500 shown in FIG. 15,controller 805 is coupled to one or more vehicle status sensors 1501that monitor whether or not the vehicle is operating (i.e., turned on)and/or whether or not the vehicle is currently in ‘drive’ or in ‘park’.The system can be configured to utilize this vehicle information todetermine when to deploy or store display 101, for example deployingdisplay 101 when the car is turned on or placed into drive and thenstoring display 101 when the car is turned off or placed into park. Itshould be understood that vehicle status sensors 1501 can be added tothe system shown in FIG. 8 without the inclusion of vehicle seat sensors1403.

As noted above, if the system includes seat position sensors 1403, thenin addition to modifying the display position in response to the user'sheight and/or seating position, the system can also modify displayposition in response to the user adjusting their seat. This isdemonstrated in FIGS. 16-18 using the previously illustrated linkageassembly. Visible in FIG. 16 is a front seat 1601, a rear seat 1603 withan occupant 1604, the front windshield 1605 and the vehicle's roofheadliner 1607. Stored within a recess 1609 of the headliner is display101. It should be understood that display 101 may be stored in otherlocations such as adjacent to the headliner but not within theheadliner, adjacent to the sunroof, adjacent to the sunroof and withinthe sunroof pocket, in the rear deck, or elsewhere. In this embodimentdisplay 101 is linked to a guide track 1611 via linkage arm 1613, track1611 preferably hidden from sight by locating it between the headliner1607 and the roof 1615. Display linkage 1613 preferably passes through aslot or slots in headliner 1607.

Assuming the system is configured for automatic deployment upon systemactivation as described above, when the display system is activatedcontrol system 805 determines the vehicle seat position using seatposition sensors 1403 and the size and location of the user within thevehicle seat using user position sensors 803. Controller 805 then usesdisplay positioning subsystem 813 to deploy display 101 into a displayposition compatible to the current position of viewing seat 1603 and thecurrent size and position of user 1604. If seat 1603 is in a typicalupright position as shown in FIG. 17, and based on the size and positionof user 1604, display 101 is automatically moved into position byrotating linkage arm 1613 about axis 1701, moving linkage arm 1613within track 1611, rotating linkage arm 1703 about axis 1705, androtating display 101 about axis 1707, thereby placing display 101 at theproper viewing distance and tilt angle for occupant 1604. If user 1604alters their seating position, controller 805 adjusts the position ofdisplay 101 as described above. If user 1604 alters the position of seat1603, for example by reclining as shown in FIG. 18, control system 805monitors the movement of the seat using sensors 1403. Based on the newlocation of seat 1603, control system 805 automatically moves display101 into position by once again rotating linkage arm 1613 about axis1701, moving linkage arm 1613 within guide track 1611, rotating linkagearm 1703 about axis 1705, and rotating display 101 about axis 1707.Since control system 805 continually monitors occupant and seatposition, if the user switches places with a user of different size, orif the user changes their position, or if the user alters the positionof seat 1603, then controller 805 will again move display 101 into aposition that is compatible with the new seat/user location.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, control system 805 returnsdisplay 101 to recess 1609 (or to a different designated storage area)when the vehicle is turned off. The system can also be set-up to returnthe display to its storage area (e.g., recess 1609) when the car isplaced in park. Preferably the user is able to over-ride the system sothat display 101 can be left in the optimum viewing position for theoccupant of seat 1603 even if the car is turned off or placed in park,thus allowing the occupant to continue to utilize the display system. Inat least one embodiment, rather than having the system automaticallyreturn the display to its storage area, the user must command the systemto return to storage, for example by de-activating display 101 or videosource 807.

It should be understood that the multi-link display positioning systemshown in FIGS. 5-7, 9-13, and 16-18 is just one possible configurationand that other positioning systems may also be used by the invention.For example, FIGS. 19 and 20 provide the same views as FIGS. 9 and 10but illustrate an alternate positioning system that utilizes atelescoping link 1901 in order to achieve the desired viewing distancefor different occupants and/or occupant positions and, in someembodiments, different seat positions. To achieve the desired range ofdisplay motion, telescoping link 1901 is controllably pivoted aboutpivot axes 1903 and 1905. FIGS. 21-22 illustrate yet another positioningsystem, this embodiment utilizing a telescoping link 2101 thatcontrollably pivots about axes 2103 and 2105. Unlike the previousembodiment, however, link 2101 has limited range in order to achieve agreater degree of link stability. To overcome the length limitations oflink 2101, link arm 2101 may be moved within guide track 2107 asrequired to achieve the desired display position.

It will be appreciated that while the embodiments of the display systemshown in FIGS. 5-7, 9-13, and 16-22 are illustrated with a car's rearpassenger seat, the display system of the invention is equallyapplicable to other vehicle seats (e.g., front passenger seat) as wellas other types of vehicles (e.g., trains, buses, airplanes, etc.).Additionally, even though in the exemplary embodiments only a singlelink is visibly coupled to display 101, it should be understood that oneor more links may be coupled to the display, and that the linkageassembly may be coupled to the center of the display, to one or bothsides of the display, or to multiple locations on the display. Tofurther clarify the invention, FIGS. 23-28 illustrate some exemplarycoupling techniques that may be used to couple the linkage assembly todisplay 101. Note that the exemplary coupling techniques shown in thesefigures may also be used with a multi-link, multi-pivoting assembly asdescribed above and shown in the figures.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 23, display 101 is attached to guidetrack 2301 via a single, centrally located arm 2303. Display 101 pivotsrelative to arm 2303 about hinge 2305, while arm 2303 pivots relative toguide track 2301 about hinge 2307.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 24, display 101 is attached to guidetrack 2401 via a pair of centrally located arms 2403 and 2405. Display101 pivots relative to arm 2403 about hinge 2407 and relative to arm2405 about hinge 2409. Arm 2403 pivots relative to guide track 2401about hinge 2411 while arm 2405 pivots relative to guide track 2401about hinge 2413.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 25, display 101 is attached to a pair ofguide tracks 2501A/2501B via a pair of side mounted arms 2503 and 2505.Display 101 pivots relative to arm 2503 about hinge 2507 and relative toarm 2505 about hinge 2509. Arm 2503 pivots relative to guide track 2501Aabout hinge 2511. The hinge coupling at location 2513, not visible inthis view, allows arm 2505 to pivot relative to guide track 2501B.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 26, display 101 is attached to a firstguide track 2601A via a first pair of side mounted arms 2603 and 2605,and to a second guide track 2601B via a second pair of side mounted arms2607 and 2609. Display 101 pivots relative to arm 2603 about a hinge notvisible in this view; pivots relative to arm 2605 about hinge 2611;pivots relative to arm 2607 about hinge 2613; and pivots relative to arm2609 about hinge 2615. Arm 2603 pivots relative to guide track 2601Aabout hinge 2617; arm 2605 pivots relative to guide track 2601A abouthinge 2619; arm 2607 pivots relative to guide track 2601B about a hinge(not visible in this view) at location 2621; and arm 2609 pivotsrelative to guide track 2601B about a hinge (not visible in this view)at location 2623.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 27, display 101 is attached to guidetrack 2701 via a single, side mounted arm 2703. Display 101 pivotsrelative to arm 2703 about hinge 2705, while arm 2703 pivots relative toguide track 2701 about hinge 2707.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 28, display 101 is attached to guidetrack 2801 via a pair of side mounted located arms 2803 and 2805.Display 101 pivots relative to arm 2803 about hinge 2807 (partiallyvisible in this view) and relative to arm 2805 about hinge 2809(partially visible in this view). Arm 2803 pivots relative to guidetrack 2801 about hinge 2811 while arm 2805 pivots relative to guidetrack 2801 about hinge 2813.

It should be understood that the accompanying figures are only meant toillustrate, not limit, the scope of the invention and should not beconsidered to be to scale.

Systems and methods have been described in general terms as an aid tounderstanding details of the invention. In some instances, well-knownstructures, materials, and/or operations have not been specificallyshown or described in detail to avoid obscuring aspects of theinvention. In other instances, specific details have been given in orderto provide a thorough understanding of the invention. One skilled in therelevant art will recognize that the invention may be embodied in otherspecific forms, for example to adapt to a particular system or apparatusor situation or material or component, without departing from the spiritor essential characteristics thereof. Therefore the disclosures anddescriptions herein are intended to be illustrative, but not limiting,of the scope of the invention.

What is claimed is:
 1. A display system, comprising: a display mountedwithin and to a vehicle, wherein said display is adjustable within arange of display positions; a display positioning system coupled to saiddisplay; a vehicle seat mounted within said vehicle, wherein saidvehicle seat is positioned within said vehicle to allow an occupant ofsaid vehicle seat to utilize said display; an occupant position sensorsystem, wherein said occupant position sensor system outputs occupantposition data corresponding to a current position of said occupantwithin said vehicle seat; and a control system coupled to said displaypositioning system and to said occupant position sensor system, whereinsaid control system monitors said occupant position data andautomatically adjusts said display with said display positioning systemto a current display position within said range of display positions inresponse to said current position of said occupant within said vehicleseat.
 2. The display system of claim 1, further comprising a memorycoupled to said control system, wherein stored within said memory is alook-up table providing a plurality of compatible display positions thatcorrespond to a plurality of occupant positions within said vehicleseat, wherein said control system utilizes said look-up table to selectsaid current display position from said plurality of compatible displaypositions based on said current position of said occupant within saidvehicle seat.
 3. The display system of claim 2, wherein each of saidplurality of compatible display positions maintains a display viewingdistance within a preset range.
 4. The display system of claim 2,wherein each of said plurality of compatible display positions maintainsa display vertical tilt angle relative to said occupant within a presetrange.
 5. The display system of claim 2, wherein each of said pluralityof compatible display positions maintains a display horizontal tiltangle relative to said occupant within a preset range.
 6. The displaysystem of claim 2, wherein each of said plurality of compatible displaypositions maintains a display horizontal tilt angle relative to ahorizontal vehicle axis within a preset range.
 7. The display system ofclaim 1, wherein said occupant position sensor system is comprised of aplurality of pressure sensors integrated into said vehicle seat.
 8. Thedisplay system of claim 1, wherein said occupant position sensor systemis comprised of at least one transducer.
 9. The display system of claim8, wherein said at least one transducer is comprised of at least oneelectromagnetic transducer.
 10. The display system of claim 8, whereinsaid at least one transducer is comprised of at least one ultrasonictransducer.
 11. The display system of claim 8, wherein said at least onetransducer is mounted to said display.
 12. The display system of claim1, said display positioning system further comprising anelectro-mechanical positioning system.
 13. The display system of claim1, said display positioning system further comprising a hydraulicpositioning system.
 14. The display system of claim 1, furthercomprising a linkage assembly controllable by said display positioningsystem, wherein said display is mounted to said vehicle with saidlinkage assembly, and wherein said display positioning system and saidcontrol system utilizes said linkage assembly to adjust said display tosaid current display position.
 15. The display system of claim 14, saidlinkage assembly further comprising a guide track mounted to saidvehicle, wherein an arm of said linkage assembly slides within saidguide track, wherein a position of said arm within said guide track iscontrolled by said display positioning system, and wherein said displaypositioning system and said control system utilizes said guide track andsaid arm of said linkage assembly to adjust said display to said currentdisplay position.
 16. The display system of claim 14, said linkageassembly further comprising a telescoping link, wherein a link lengthcorresponding to said telescoping link is controlled by said displaypositioning system, and wherein said display positioning system and saidcontrol system utilizes said telescoping link of said linkage assemblyto adjust said display to said current display position.
 17. The displaysystem of claim 16, said linkage assembly further comprising a guidetrack mounted to said vehicle, wherein said telescoping link of saidlinkage assembly slides within said guide track, wherein a position ofsaid telescoping link within said guide track is controlled by saiddisplay positioning system, and wherein said display positioning systemand said control system utilizes said guide track and said telescopinglink of said linkage assembly to adjust said display to said currentdisplay position.
 18. The display system of claim 14, said linkageassembly further comprising a first link and a second link, wherein afirst end portion of said first link is pivotably coupled to saiddisplay, wherein a first end portion of said second link is pivotablycoupled to a second end portion of said first link, and wherein a secondend portion of said second link is pivotably coupled to said vehicle,and wherein said display positioning system and said control systemutilizes said linkage assembly to adjust said display to said currentdisplay position.
 19. The display system of claim 18, said linkageassembly further comprising a guide track mounted to said vehicle,wherein said second end portion of said second link slides within saidguide track, and wherein a position of said second end portion of saidsecond link within said guide track is controlled by said displaypositioning system.
 20. The display system of claim 1, furthercomprising a vehicle seat position sensor coupled to said controlsystem, wherein said vehicle seat position sensor outputs seat positiondata corresponding to a current seat position of said vehicle seat, andwherein said control system monitors said seat position data andautomatically adjusts said current display position in response to achange in said current seat position.
 21. The display system of claim20, further comprising a memory coupled to said control system, whereinstored within said memory is a look-up table providing a plurality ofcompatible display positions that correspond to a plurality of occupantpositions within said vehicle seat and to a range of seat positions forsaid vehicle seat, wherein said control system utilizes said look-uptable to select said current display position from said plurality ofcompatible display positions based on said current position of saidoccupant within said vehicle seat and said current seat position.